Shower curtain structure



June 4, 1968 c. H. CLEMENS 3,386,106

SHOWER CURTAIN STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 27, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 74 36 mi-J L 70\ W F 72 32 l0 281 &

' INVENTOR. CHARLES HERBERT CLEMENS ATTORNEY June 4,- 1968 c. H. CLEMENS 3,386,106

SHOWER CURTAIN STRUCTURE INVENTOR. CHARLES HERBERT CLEMENS ATTORNEY June 4, 1968 c. H. CLEMENS 3,386,106

SHOWER CURTAIN STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 27, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3- INVENTOR. 0 CHARLES HERBERT CLEMENS WWZZM a ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,386,106 SHOWER CURTAIN STRUCTURE Charles Herbert Clemens, 410 Five Oak Ave, Dayton, Qhio 45405 Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,352 7 Claims. (Cl. 4-154 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shower curtain particularly adapted for association *with a bathtub which is adjacent a wall. The shower curtain has a plurality of folds, each of which extends generally toward and away from a common point. Some of the folds radiate from the common point. Some of the folds are spaced from the common point. The shower curtain is foldable into a closed position above an edge of the bathtub and is also extensible between the wall and the edge of the bathtub to prevent splashing of water from the bathtub.

Background of the invention An object of this invention is to provide shower curtain structure which is particularly adapted for use with a bathtub assembly having a shower head in association therewith.

Another object of this invention is to provide shower curtain structure which can be easily and readily installed.

Another object of this invention is to provide shower curtain structure which when not in use can be collapsed to occupy a small space.

Another object of this invention is to provide such shower curtain structure which includes sealing means.

Another object of this invention is to provide shower curtain structure which presents a good appearance when the structure is arranged for use and when the structure is arranged for non-use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a curtain which is novel in construction.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of the invention, combinations thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation as well become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of shower curtain structure of this invention, showing the structure arranged for use. This view also illustrates a bathtub environment in which the shower curtain structure may be used.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, similar to FIGURE 1, showing the arrangement of the parts of the shower curtain structure when not in use.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a latch portion of the shower curtain structure.

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view, drawn on substantially the same scale as FIGURES 1 and 2, of the shower curtain structure of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged plan view, with parts broken away, of the curtain portion of shower curtain structure of this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, shower curtain structure of this invention comprises primarily a curtain which is constructed of any suitable sheet material. Plastic material or the like has been found to be satisfactory for such use. The material of which the curtain 10 is formed should have flexibility but should have such thickness and rigidity that portions therof can extend from support structure without collapsing.

The curtain 10 has a focal point or part from which a plurality of major folds or pleats 16 radially extend to the periphery of the curtain. It is desirable to have a large 3,335,106 Patented June 4, 1968 number of pleats or folds in the curtain 10 so that the curtain 10 can be readily collapsed into a body 'having comparatively narrow width. However, due to the fact that the sheet material from which the curtain 10 is formed has a certain degree of thickness and rigidity, it would be difiicult or impossible to form a large number of pleats or folds within the limited area adjacent the focal point 15.

In solving this problem the curtain 10 has been created so that there is a large number of folds therein without having a large number of pleats or folds adjacent the radial point 15. All of the pleats or folds in the curtain 10 do not extend to the radial point 15. A plurality of minor of supplemental folds 17 have been provided which extend from the periphery of the curtain 10 to a position spaced from the focal point 15. All of the supplemental pleats 17 extend from the periphery of the curtain lit to a location illustrated generally by reference numeral 18. Each of the supplemental folds or pleats 17 is preferably positioned between two major folds 16. However, any other arrangement by which the supplemental pleats 17 are interposed among the major pleats 16 is satisfactory.

Thus, the major and minor pleat construction in the curtain 10 makes possible the formation of a large number of pleats adjacent the periphery of the curtain 10 While avoiding the necessity of a large number of pleats and folds adjacent the focal point 15.

The curtain 10 has a flap or flange 22 along one edge thereof and a flap or flange 24 along another edge thereof. The flaps 22 and 24 are, preferably, integral with the other portions of the curtain 10. As shown in FIGURE 5, when the curtain 10 is extended for use, the flaps 22 and 24 are substantially normal, one with respect to the other.

As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the flap 22 fits into an elongate channel support member '26. A strip or batten 28 is also disposed within the channel 26 and engages the flap 22. The strip or batten 28, preferably, fits snugly within the channel 26 as a fluid sealing member, as well as a retainer member.

A plurality of connection members, such as screws 30 or the like, extend through the batten 28 and through the flap 22 and through the channel 26. The screws 30 also extend through a sealing strip 32. The screws 30 extend into support structure, herein shown as a wall 36. The screws 30 thus secure the batten 28, the flap 22, the char1'- nel 26, and the sealing strip 32 to the wall 36.

The flap 24 of the curtain 10 is disposed within an elongate channel carrier member 40. A strip or batten 42 sealingly and snugly fits into the channel 40 and retains the flap 24 therewithin.

A sealing strip 44 is attached to the outer surface of the channel 40 by any suitable means, such as by adhesive means.

The channel 40 has an end portion 46 provided with aligned hinge knuckles 48. The hinge knuckles 48 are complementary to aligned hinge knuckles 50 which are carried by the channel 26. A hinge pin 52 extends through the hinge knuckles 48 and 50 and pivotally attach the knuckles 48 to the knuckles 50. Thus, the channels 26 and 40 are hingedly attached together.

A sealing pad 54 is attached, by adhesive means or by other suitable means, to the outer surface of the end portion 46 of the channel 40, as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

The flap 22 has a part 56 which arcuately covers the knuckles 48 and 50. The flap 22 also has an end portion 58 which is disposed within the end portion 46 of the channel 40. A small batten 60 snugly fits into the end portion 46 of the channel 40 and retains the end portion 58 of the flap 22 therewithin.

At the end of the channel 26, opposite the knuckles 50, is a bracket 62. The bracket 62 has an opening 64 therethrough. A push button 66 is disposed within the opening 64. The push button 66 has a base 68 which is in engagement with a strap spring 70. The strap spring 70 is attached to the channel 26 by means of screws 72 or the like. The strap spring 70 has a lip 74 which is adapted to engage a projection 78 of an end 80 of the channel 40 for latching the channel 40 to the channel 26.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a bathtub 84 is in engagement with the wall 36 to which the channel 26 is attached. The channel 26 is vertically disposed. The channel 26 is in alignment with and adjacent an edge surface 86 of the bathtub 84.

When the shower curtain structure of this invention is not in usethe channel 40 is vertically disposed as shown in FIGURE 2. The lip 74 of the spring 70 engages the projection 78 of the end portion 88 and retains the channel 4% in vertical position, as shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, the shower curtain structure appears substantially as shown in FIGURE 2.

When it is desired to use the shower curtain structure of this invention, the button 66 is pushed downwardly urging the strap spring 70 to bend downwardly. Thus, the lip 74 of the strap spring 70 is released from engagement with the projection 78 of the end 80 of the channel 40. Then, the channel 4-6 is pivotally moved downwardly about the hinge members 48, Sit, and 52. The channel 46 is lowered until the sealing strip 44 engages the edge surface 86 of the bathtub 84, as shown in FIGURE 1.

As shown in FIGURE 1, when the sealing strip 44 is in engagement with the edge surface 86 of the bathtub 8 the curtain 10 extends from a position adjacent the wall 36 to a position adjacent the edge surface 86 of the bathtub 84. Preferably, the curtain it does not become coplanar when in its expanded condition shown in FIGURE 1. Thus, the pleats and folds 16 and 17 may exist in the curtain 10 when the curtain I is extended as shown in FIGURE 1, as Well as when the curtain 18 is col-lapsed, as shown in FIGURE 2.

When the sealing strip 44 engages the surface 86 of the bathtub 84, the sealing pad 54 is in engagement with the wall 36 directly below the sealing strip 32. Thus,

when the shower curtain structure is arranged as shown in FIGURE 1, the sealing strip 32 seals against flow of water between the channel 26 and the wall 36; the sealing pad 54 seals against flow of water between the end portion 46 of the channel 48' and the wall 36; the sealing strip 44 seals against flow of water between the edge surface 86 of the bathtub 84 and the channel 40.

A shower head 90 is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. When the shower curtain structure of this invention is arranged in the manner shown in FIGURE 1, the shower curtain structure prevents water which emanates from the shower head 90 from flowing or splashing outside of the bathtub 84. Water which strikes the inside surface of the curtain readily flows downwardly upon the surface of the curtain 10.

After the shower curtain structure is used, the structure may remain as shown in FIGURE 1 for drying if desired. Then, the channel 40 is again pivotally moved to its position adjacent the channel 26, as shown in FIGURE 2. Thus, the shower curtain structure of this invention is again collapsed into a small space and presents a good appearance.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. A curtain comprising a flexible sheet of material having slight rigidity, the sheet having a plurality of alternate folds radiating from a common point in the sheet, the sheet also having a plurality of folds interposed among the first said folds, the second said folds extending generally in a line toward said common point in the sheet but being spaced from the common point in the sheet.

2. A curtain comprising a sheet of material, there being a plurality of folds in the sheet extending radially from a common point in the sheet to an edge of the sheet, the sheet also having a plurality of folds extending from said edge of the sheet toward the common point but spaced from the common point, there thus being a considerably larger number of folds adjacent the edge of the sheet than adjacent the common point.

3. Shower curtain structure for a bathtub which is in engagement with support structure, the bathtub having a substantially horizontal edge surface extending from the support structure comprising:

an elongate support member attached vertically to support structure above said edge surface of the bathtub, the support member having a lower end portion provided with hinge knuckles spaced from the edge surface of the bathtub,

an elongate carrier member, the elongate carrier member having a right angle end portion provided with hinge knuckles,

a hinge pin extending through the hinge knuckles at the lower end portion of the support member and through the hinge knuckles of the right angle end portion of the carrier member, the hinge pin thus attaching the carrier member to the support member,

the carrier member being pivotally movable to a position substantially vertical and adjacent the support member with the right angle end portion extending normally with respect to the elongate support member, the carrier member being pivotally movable to a position adjacent the edge surface of the bathtub with the right angle end portion in engagement with the support structure below the lower end portion of the elongate support member,

a curtain attached to the support member and to the carrier member including the right angle end portion thereof, the curtain having a plurality of folds therein, each of the folds extending toward and away from a part of the curtain which is adjacent the hinge pin, the curtain folding into a space intermediate the support member and the carrier member when the carrier member is disposed substantially vertically adjacent the support member, the curtain extending from a position adjacent the wall to a position adjacent the edge surface of the .bathtub when the carrier member is positioned adjacent the edge surface of the bathtub,

means for retaining the carrier member in said substantially vertical position adjacent the support member.

4. Shower curtain structure for a bathtub which is adjacent a support structure, the bathtub having an edge surface adjacent the support structure comprising:

a support member positioned substantially vertically and attached to the support structure at a higher elevation than said edge surface of the bathtub,

a carrier member,

the carrier member being pivotally attached to the support member, the carrier member being pivotally movable to a position substantially vertical and adjacent the support member, the movable carrier member also being pivotally movable to a position adjacent the edge surface of the bathtub,

a curtain having a part attached to the support member, the curtain also having a part attached to the carrier member, the curtain folding into a space intermediate the support member and the carrier member when the carrier member is disposed substantially vertically adjacent the support member, the curtain extending from a position adjacent the support structure to a position adjacent the edge surface of the bathtub when the carrier member is positioned adjacent the edge surface of the bathtub, the curtain having a plurality of folds, each of the folds extending toward and away from a part of the curtain which is adjacent the support member, some of the folds extending from a part of the curtain which is spaced from the part of the curtain which is adjacent the support member.

Shower curtain structure for a bathtub which is in engagement with a wall, the bathtub having an edge surface extending from the wall and substantially normal with respect thereto, comprising:

a support channel disposed substantially vertically and attached to the wall, the support channel having a lower end portion provided with hinge knuckles, the hinge knuckles being above the edge surface of the bathtub but adjacent thereto,

carrier channel, the carrier channel having an end portion provided with hinge knuckles,

a hinge pin extending through the hinge knuckles and attaching the support channel to the carrier channel, the carrier channel being pivotally movable to a position substantially vertical and adjacent the support channel, the carrier channel being pivotally movable to a position adjacent the edge surface of the bathtub,

a curtain having a flap portion attached to the support channel, the curtain also having a flap portion attached to the carrier channel, the curtain having a plurality of folds intermediate said flap portions thereof, at least a portion of the folds extending radially from a portion thereof which is adjacent the flap portion thereof which is attached to the support channel, the curtain being extensible from a position adjacent the wall to a position adjacent the edge surface of the bathtub when the carrier channel is positioned adjacent the edge surface of the bathtub. Shower curtain structure for use with a bathtub which is in engagement with a wall,

member and a part attached to the carrier member, the curtain member having a plurality of major folds extending radially from a point adjacent the support member, the curtain member also having a plurality of supplemental folds, the supplemental folds being interposed among the major folds, each of the supplemental folds extending toward and away from said point which is adjacent the support member, the supplemental folds being spaced from said point which is adjacent the support member.

7. Shower curtain structure for use with a bathtub which is adjacent a wall,

a pair of elongate channel members, one end of one elongate channel [member being pivotally attached to one end of the other elongate channel member, curtain member attached to each of the elongate channel members, the curtain member having a plurality of folds, each of the folds extending toward and away from a common portion of the curtain member which is adjacent one of the elongate channel members, some of the folds being spaced from said common portion of the curtain member which is adjacent one of the elongate channel members,

the elongate channel members being relatively movable to angular positions so that one elongate channel member is adjacent the wall and the other elongate channel member is adjacent the bathtub so that the curtain member extends substantially between the wall and the bathtub, the elongate channel members being relatively pivotally movable to adjacent substantially parallel relationship, one with respect to the other so that the curtain member is in a tightly folded condition between the elongate channel members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 49,589 8/1916 Waggoner 88-2 109,600 5/1938 Baird 21-6 190,348 5/1877 May 160-134 363,384 5/1887 Groves et al 160-134 379,343 3/1888 Thornton -39 1,609,877 12/ 1926 Kendall -84 1,807,107 5/1931 Sterbergh 4-149 2,153,508 4/1939 Marchbank 28-994 2,375,457 5/1945 Woodward 160-125 2,672,617 3/1954 Back 21-6 2,885,000 5/1959 Merrill 4149 FOREIGN PATENTS 219,794 7/ 1961 Austria.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

55 D. MASSENBERG, Assistant Examiner. 

